Carrier for ammunition



A. A. LETHERN.

CARRIER FoR AMMUNITION.

m Q .P 7

A I 2 m M? A. A. LETHERN.

CARRIER FOR AMMUNITION.

APPHCATION FILED MAY 14, 1918.

Patented. July 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT ALEXANDER LETHERN. OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MES'NE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FRANK R. BATCHELDER.

CARRIER FOR AMMUNITION.

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Application Tiled May 14, 1918.

Z '0 all 20 ham it may concern Be it known that I, AALBERT ALEXANDER Ln'rrrnnn, a citizen of Great Britain, residing at London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Carriers for Ammunition, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has ionits object to provide a carrier for ammunition, more especially adapted to contain hand-grenades or projectiles of the like type, and constructed so as to facilitate removal of the grenades, or other projectiles, therefrom when required for use. A further object is to provide a convenient means for carrying on the person articles of the character indicated.

Briefly specified, the invention consists in a carrier for projectiles, preferably fun nished with means for suspending the same from the person, and having a discharge outlet in its lower portion, a bottom by which projectiles occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said outlet under the influence of gravity, and a retainer pocket for the said outlet, constructed and arranged to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles.-

A feature of invention consists in making the carrier collapsible, so that when not occupied by projectiles it may be collapsed into small compass and convenient shape for being disposed on a knapsack or some other part of an existing equipment, where it will take'up little room and will be readily available to be opened out and filled with grenades or other intended projectiles when required.

The invention comprises, further, other special features which are set forth in the following description and pointed out in the claims.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention, containingthe various general and special features of the latter, is shown in the drawings, in which,

Figure 'l is a view showing the said illustratite embodiment and one way in which the same is intended to be worn upon the person.

Fig. 2 is a view oi the carrier, separately, with its supporting strap partly broken away, and with the retainer pocket closed.

Specification of Letters Patent.

shape.

Patented J ul-y 6, 1920.

Serial No. 234,456.

Fig. 8 is a view of the carrier looking at the side thereof opposite the side shown in Fig. 2. V

Fig. 4 is a view of the carrier with its retainer pocket open.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the carrier, looking from the right-hand side in Fig. p

"Fig. 6 is a view of the carrier in longitudinal vertical section on line 7, 7, Fig. 5, on a larger scale than the views thus far mentioned.

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section on the same scale as Fig. 6.

The carrier shown in the drawings has a casing comprising face and back walls 1 and 2, opposite end-walls 3 and 4:, an inclined bottom 5, an outlet 6 (Fig. 6). at the lower end of such bottom, through the corresponding end l) oi the casing, and a retainer pocket 7 external to said outlet.

The said casing is in the form of a box which, viewed in plan, isrectangular in The distance between the face and back walls 1 and 2 thereof is proportioned to suit the length of the projectiles that are to be contained in the carrier. Projectiles occupying the carrier are indicated by dotted circles a, a, in Fig. 6. They rest by gravity upon the inclined bottom 5, with a tendency to move toward the outlet 6. The outlet 6 is of such dimensions as to allow the said proj stiles to roll therethrough, one at at a time, into the retainer pocket 7. The retainer pocket is of dimensions to contain a projectile, and at the same time hold it in position to keep back the others so as to prevent the succeeding projectiles from issuing through the outlet. The said pocket has an upturned mouth of suitable dimensions, when open, to permit a personshand to be inserted and to grasp and withdraw the projectiles lying in the pocket. Provision is made for closing and opening the said mouth, one mode of doing this being described hereinbelow.

In this instance, as illustrated by Fig. 1, the carrier is arranged to be slung atone side of a persons body by means of a sus pensory strap 8 which is adapted'to hang upon the opposite shoulder, and to pass diagonally down across the front and back or" the body. The said strap is shown as having its end-portions engaged with buckles 9, 9, that are detachably attached to the up-' per corners of the back wall 2 of the car- Her.

The buckles provide for adjustment are shown applied to the inner iently accessible by the hand of such arm,- or by that of the opposite arm.

Suitable covering means is provided in connection with the top of the Casino. The

preferable arrangement comprises two end cover-flaps 10, 10, shown best in Fig. '6,

and a .main cover-flap 11. The said end cover-flaps are connected, respectively, with the end-walls 3 and l, and are adapted to fold overtoward each other lengthwise of thecasing, above the contents of the carrier The main cover-flap 11 1s connected wlth the back wall 2 and arranged to fold over the said endcover-flaps and the top of the casing, and down in front of the front wall '1. "The cover-fastening meansshown in the drawings comprises straps 12, 12, which are attached-to the main cover-flap 11, and buckles 18, 13, which are attached to the front wall 1. This combination of end and side cover-flaps gives protection to the'contents "or" the carrier at both ends of the top of the casing, as well as at the two sides, wlth double weather protection on the top.

"1 In the case of embodiments of some of the features of the invention, the material or materialsemployed in the construction of the carrier may vary, and in some cases all of the upright walls of the casing may be stiff. Preferably, however, the carrier-casing is composed wholly or chiefly of woven fabric, with or without stiffening, and preterably is so constructed as to secure flexibility and the collapsibility to which reference-has been made. In the illustrated embodimentthe casing of woven fabric consists ot-separate sheets or strips constituting respectively the front, back, opposite end- -walls, and bottom, fastened together along the angles,'as by stitches. It has its bottom and end-walls stiffened by plates or sheets These 3'', 4h, and 5, of suitable material.

faces of the said portions of the casing, but theymay be otherwise applied. The said plates or sheets in practice preferably are composed of the prepared or treated paper material termed fiber. Flatpieces of wood may be employed if desired. T he front andbacl: walls and cover-portions are unstifiened so that they retain their flexibility, although they may be stiffened in case flexibility and collapsibility are not desired. 7

In the case of the construction shown in the drawings thee-nd coveriiaps 10,10, are integralwith the end walls 3 and a, while the main cover-flap 11 is integral with the back'wall 2. The said end cover-flaps are made of double thickness, with smooth finished ireeends, by folding the material of two. thicknesses together adjacent the fold by a transverse line of stitches 10 and fastening the downturned free end of the fold ed-baclr portion to the adjacent end wall by a transverse line of stitches 10".

Preferably, the upper ends of the stiffener-plates of sheets 3 ,4, are entered into pockets, and thereby concealed and pro tected. Such pockets in this instance are formed by the downturned portions of the end walls 3, i. The lines of stitches 10 10 engage with the said upper ends. The lower 'ends of the stiffener-plates or sheets are fastened to the lower portions of the end walls by transverse lines of stitches 3 4L". The ends-of the stiffener-plate or sheet 5 are ta teiied to the bottom 5 by. transverse lines of stitches 5 5, the lower end being entered into'a pocket beneath one margin ot'a trans-. 'verse strip of webbing 14, such margin being secured to the bottom 5 by the line of stitches 5, passing through such margin, the

said end of plate or sheet 5, and bottom 5.

i he'angle between the stiffening plates 3" and 5 is not rigid, but left flexible, as that when the carrier is empty the end-walls can be folded down toward the bottom, one on top of the other, and by thus superlmposmg.

the principal stiffened parts the'whole car- 'rier can be collapsed and packed fiat.

'The retainer-pocket 7 is located externally of the casing. It is trough-shaped, in

this'instance, and formed or an upwardly turned prolongation'ot the bottom 5, and

two sides 7, 7*, which latter are connected their inner edges to the "front and back walls of the CElSIIl The n )turned nortion of said prolongation, constituting the outer wall or lip of the pocket, is stiffened by plate or strip-T of fiber 'or'other suitable material, which in this case is inclosed between-the two thicknesses of the said prolongation which are produced by doubling the latter backupon itself so as to cover the plate or strip 7 and form aninterior lining or reinforce for the bottom or" the pocket.

The free extremity of the folded back portion is concealedby one margin of the webbing 14, and secured by the line of stitches 7 passing through such margin, the said extremity, and the bottom of the pocket.

The construction of the retainer pocket, thus described, furnishes it wi h a flexible hinge-like connection between its bottom and the adjacent end of the casing, and its side walls are flexible. This enables the said pocket to be collapsed, as in Figs. 2 and 3, so that the top of its outwardly facing lip is. approached close to the endwall at of the casing, thus closing the pocket so as to prevent the escape or" a projectile occupying the pocket. Suitable provision is made in practice for fastening the pocket in this oollapsed and closed condition. The drawings show a convenient and simple means for the purpose comprising a hook 15 that is loosely hinged to the end wall a, and a ring or loop 16 that is loosely hinged to the lip portion of the pocket 7 and adapted to engage with the said hook. When the ring or loop 16 is engaged with the hook as in Figs. 2 and 3 the pocket is retained fastened in its closed condition. When the ring is disengaged from the hook the pocket is thereby per mitted to expand or open out into its position shown in Figs. 1, a and 6. This particular fastening means is safe and secure, and at the same time is very easily operated either to secure the pocket in its closed and collapsed condition, or to effect the unfastening of the pocket.

The carrier preferably is provided with a series of vertically disposed strips or webs 17, 17, etc., extending between the face and back walls 1 and 2 and secured thereto, as by stitches. These strips or webs serve as ties to keep the said walls from being spread or bulged away from each other by the contents of the carrier. They also in this in stance divide up the interior of the carrier into a series of vertical compartments. Their lower ends are a sufficient distance above the bottom of the casing to permit a projectile to pass down along the bottom below the said lower ends. In the present instance the partitions are spaced so that the said compartments are of a size, respec' tively, to contain a single column or stack of projectiles, one above another, which is preferable. One advantage thereof is that with the partitions thus spaced they keep the projectiles with their length disposed transversely ofthe casing, so that they will descend freely, as well as travel toward and through the outlet 6 into the retainer pocket without tendency to become caught or jammed so as to prevent free feeding action. In some cases the partitions may be spaced differently so that in each compart ment the projectiles may lie otherwise than in a single column.

The dimensions of the carrier and of. the compartments or chambers thereof, and the inclination of the bottom, are preferably such that each compartment shall be of greater holding capacity than the compartment adjacent to it on the other side. Thus if the box is provided with three partitions, as shown, it may be adapted to contain two projectiles in the first compartment, three in the next, and at least four in the last. Thus in the case of the filled carrier the weight preponderates at the end at which the retainer pocket is located, and it continues to preponderate at such end during the emptying process, so that the said end with its out let 6 and retainer pocket is kept down, thereby insuring a tendency of the contained projectiles to gravitate toward the outlet straps to its lower part.

and through the latter into the retainer pocket.

If desired, in place of using the suspensory shoulder strap 8, the carrier may be connected by the buckles 9, 9, or other connectors, to the ends of the brace members of an existing military equipment. Or the carrier may be adapted to be mounted on the wearers back after the manner of a knapsack, in that case having in addition to the buckles or other connectors 9, 9, at the two upper corners some means for attaching Two detachable straps may be employed for this purpose, which can be so arranged that each will pass over one, shoulder of the wearer and back under the corresponding arm to the bottom portion of the carrier, which is then supported in a manner already known for use with a knapsack. \Vhen thus disposed on the back the delivery opening is con veniently provided with a chute forming an extension of the inclined bottom of the pocket, this chute being of such a length that its end, which terminates in a retainer pocket, will lie at the side of the wearer in a position convenient for removing the pro jectiles from the said pocket. This pocket may be arranged to be closed by folding over the end wall thereof in substantially the manner herein shown and described, or in some other convenient manner.

An. ammunition receptacle constructed as above described enables hand grenades or the like to be carried in a convenient manner with the projectiles readily available for throwing.

Fig. 1 shows mounted on the shoulder strap 8 a hook 20 adapted to serve the purpose of withdrawing the safety pin from hand grenades. This hook may be elsewhere mounted in connection with the carrier. Thus the operator has bombs or grenades constantly delivered one after the other to a pocket available to his hand, and without employing the other hand he can withdraw the safety pin and throw the bomb, the whole process being performed with the least possible delay.

For the purpose of causing the two side walls 7, 7*, of the retainer-pocket to fold inwardly toward each other as the pocket is collapsed by moving its lip toward the adjacent end wall a of the carrier, a vertically extending inwardly facing plait or gather 21 is formed in the upper portion of each side wall. This plait or gather is secured by a line of stitches 22 serving to hold the sides thereof together.

hat is claimed as the invention is 2- 1. A carrier for projectiles, having a discharge outlet in itslower portion, a bottom by which projectiles occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said outlet under the influence of gravity, a retainer pocket forthe said outlet constructed and arranged to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and also in position to holdback the sueceeding projectiles, and means for fastening said pocket in closed condition.

2. A carrier for projectiles, havinga discharge outlet in its lower portion, a bottom by which projectiles occupying the carrier are guidedtomove toward said outlet under the influence of gravity, and a retainer pocket for the said outlet constructed and arranged to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles, said carrier dividedinteriorly'into compartmentsadapted to contain columns of projectiles by transverse partitions at a distance from saidbottom permitting the projectiles to travel along the bottom toward the outlet.

a. A carrier for projectiles, furnished with means for suspending the same from the person, and having a discharge outlet in its lower portion, a bottom by which projectiles occupyingthe carrier are guided to move toward said-outlet under the influence of gravity, and a retainer pocket for the said outletconstructed and arranged to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed byhand, and also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles, said carrier divided interiorly into compartments adapted to containcolumns o'f projectiles by transverse partitions at a.

distance fronisaid bottom permitting the I projectiles to travel along the bottom toward the outlet.

5. A carrier for projectiles, havingflexible backand front walls, cross-ties connecting the said walls together, a discharge out let in its lower portion, a bottom bywhich projectiles occupying the carrier are" guided to move toward said outlet under the influenceofgravity, and a retainer pocket for the said outlet constructed and arranged to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles. I

"6. A carrier for projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material havinga delivery mouth in its lower portion, and a bottom by which projectiles occupying the in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles, with said bottom and the end walls of said casing stiffened. V

7. A-carrierfor projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material having flexible back and front walls, a delivery mouth in its lower portion, and a bottom by which projectiles occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said delivery mouth under the influence of gr'avity, the said delivery mouth having means to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and re.- moved byhand, and also in position to hold backthe succeeding projectiles, with said bottom and the end walls, of said casing stiffened. I

8. A carrier for projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material having flexible back and front walls, cross-ties connecting the said walls together, a delivery mouth in its lower portion, and a bottom bywhich projectiles occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said delivery mouth under the influence "of gravity, the said delivery mouth having means to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles, with said bottom and the end walls of said casing stiffened. V

9. A collapsible carrier for projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material having flexible back and front walls, flexible transverse partitions dividing the upper portion of the carrier into upright compartments, a delivery mouth inits lower portion, and a bottom by which projectiles occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said delivery mouth underthe influence of gravity, the said delivery mouth having means to hold the leading projectile in position to be grasped and removed by hand, and.also in position to hold back the succeeding projectiles, with said bottom and the end walls of said casing stiffened.

10. A collapsible carrier for projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material having a delivery outlet in its lower portion, a

bottom by which projectiles occupyingv the carrier are guided to move toward .said outlet under the influence of gravity, a retainer pocket of flexible material at said outlet, and means to hold said retainer pocket in collapsed condition closing the outlet.

11. A collapsible carrier for projectiles, comprising a casing of flexible material having flexible back and front walls, flexible transverse partitions dividing the upper portion of the carrier into upright compart- In testimony whereof I :u'fix my signature ments, at dellvery outlet 111 its lower portlon, 1n presence of two witnesses. at bottom by WhlCll pro ect1les occupying the carrier are guided to move toward said out- ALBERT ALEXANDER LETHERN' let under the influence of gravity, a retainer Witnesses:

pocket of flexible material at said outlet, and W. J. FRANKS,

means to hold said retainer pocket in col- R. HERITAGE.

lapsed condition closing the outlet. 

